Third of Russians deem potential Trump victory in U.S. presidential race to be advantageous for Russia – poll

MOSCOW. Aug 25 (Interfax) – Some 12% of Russians are closely monitoring the progress of the U.S. presidential election campaign, and another 73% have heard something about it, the Levada Center told Interfax.

Fifteen percent learned about the upcoming U.S. elections during the poll of 1,600 respondents in 137 populated localities in 48 regions on August 5-8.

Fifty-two percent of respondents could not say the which candidate’s victory – the Republican Party’s Donald Trump or the Democratic Party’s Hillary Clinton – would be better for Russia. Most of the others (35%) chose Trump, and only 13% said they favored Clinton.

Seven percent of respondents admitted their positive attitude to incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama; the indicator stood at 55% in 2011. A total of 83% of Russians spoke negatively of Obama (21% in 2011), and 10% were undecided.

German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel evokes positive feelings in 15% of Russians (60% in 2011), 68% have a negative attitude (previously, 12%), and 17% are undecided.

Most Russians (87%) feel negative about Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (40% in 2014). Five percent of respondents sympathize with the Ukrainian leader (previously, 13%), and 8% are hesitant.